TACOMA, Wash.— The Pacific Lutheran University men's basketball team comeback was halted by the Lewis & Clark College River Otters Saturday evening in 73-59 loss.

Lutes came in today's contest 7-3 overall, 1-0 Northwest Conference play and winners of the last four contests against the River Otters.

The game started off slow for the Lutes as the LC went on a 13-4 run to begin the game. Jeremiah Sibley and Henry Smith would provide some much needed energy off the bench drilling back-to-back-back-back jumpers to get the Lutes back in to the contest at 18-17. Cam Rice would help give PLU the lead netting a mid-range jumper and then a three-ball to give PLU a 22-18 advantage. Lutes largest lead of the half would be 24-20. LC would apply pressure and forced PLU to turn the ball over, which allowed the River Otters to take a 33-28 lead going in to the half.

Lewis & Clark never looked back and never gave up the lead in the second half. PLU got within nine points with 12:21 remaining, but LC shot a blistering 55% from the field in the second half. Mack Hepper led all scorers finishing with 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Charlie Kapranos notched a near double-double finishing with nine total points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists. Julian Brown and Ben Tellez wrap up the top performers finishing with seven points a piece.

PLU returns to action for more NWC play on Tuesday, January 6th against cross-town rival Puget Sound at 7:30 PM.